‘My Demon’ Review: A Fantasy Romance That Fills Narrative Gaps With Visuals

Edited by Kim Won Hee
Translated by Yu Jin Kim

A K-drama featuring a drop-dead gorgeous celebrity pair has made its debut. Starring Kim Yoo Jung and Song Kang, My Demon is a new show created by Choi Ah Il, co-author of Mr. Queen, and directed by Kim Jang Han, the mastermind behind Do You Like Brahms. The series has secured the top spot on the Netflix TV series chart, basking in favorable reviews.

Kim Yoo Jung’s character Do Do Hee runs an F&B business within the Mirae Group with exceptional talent and a composed demeanor. One day, she decides to go on a blind date to fulfill founder Joo Cheon Suk’s (Kim Hae Sook) wish, and there, she mistakes Gu Won (Song Kang) for her date. Even though he comes off as a bit strange, she can’t help but like him, especially after he unexpectedly helps her out in a dangerous situation. However, Gu Won is a demon who appears before those in despair and grants wishes in exchange for souls. Not only does he consider himself superior to humans, but he also enjoys all the perks of being a demon who lives an eternal life with magical abilities. A few days after their initial meeting, Do Hee finds herself in a life-threatening situation, and Gu Won reappears. As they attempt to rescue each other from drowning, his source of power, a tattoo, transfers to Do Hee’s wrist. Now, he must hold her wrist to use his magical abilities, and this connection between them gets more complicated.

What makes this drama special is the stunning visuals of the actors. Kim Yoo Jung and Song Kang grace each scene with captivating looks that you could easily label it a visual photoshoot. The screen does justice to their beauty, putting in a lot of effort to capture their beauty in a stunning way. They look impressive individually, but when they’re together, their charm goes up a notch. The visual chemistry between the two actors is so impactful that their combined looks alone could tell a story.

Their on-screen performances also grab viewers’ attention. Kim Yoo Jung shines as the main character, mixing her character’s icy and composed side with some clumsy moments. While Song Kang’s acting may need some improvement, he makes it up by delivering an impressive portrayal of his enigmatic character who is unfamiliar with the feeling of love. Additionally, the dynamics of the characters’ relationships add another layer of fun to the series. The mortal-immortal combination, the love-and-hate relationship, the bodyguard-and-client dynamics, and the contractual marriage theme are all somewhat familiar, but the series continues to captivate by introducing various elements one after another.

Despite having many charming aspects, the series has some noticeable issues. First, the dialogue is a bit bland, and scenes with a comedic touch feel dull. In the big moments, it feels like the actors’ looks matter more than what they’re actually saying. Even though it improves over time, it’s a bit hard to understand why Do Hee, a composed and talented CEO, is drawn to Gu Won based on his external aspects.

The process of building the relationship between Do Hee and Gu Won largely revolves around the internal family conflict within Mirae Group, as they confront Joo Cheon Suk’s biological children. However, as the series tries to showcase more visually stunning moments during dramatic scenes, the internal conflicts within the group fail to exert their narrative strength. The narrative surrounding the corporate and legacy battle gradually loses its way as Joo Seok Hoon (Lee Sang Yi), the only family member besides Joo Cheon Suk who is supportive of Do Do Hee, confesses his feelings for Do Hee, introducing a tense love triangle.

My Demon has officially kicked into high gear as Do Hee and Gu Won enter into a contractual marriage. Alongside the blossoming romance between them, the narrative unfolds several intriguing storylines, including the mystery of the assailant targeting Do Do Hee’s life after Joo Cheon Suk’s death, Gu Won’s gradually resurfacing memories from his human days and their connection to Do Hee. With the drama maintaining its dazzling visual appeal, I hope the upcoming episodes will delve deeper into the remaining narratives, making them even more captivating. (6/10)

Edited by Kim Won Hee: I am a person who needs more than 24 hours in a day because there are so many things I love. I am amassing various genres in the jewelry box in my heart.